Felony Friendly Jobs in Orlando, FL
Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, and the massive tourism and hospitality industry creates year-round employment opportunities. Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld are among the area's largest employers, and the hotels, restaurants, and support services surrounding these attractions provide thousands of additional jobs. The healthcare sector is also strong. While Florida lacks ban-the-box protections, the hospitality industry's high demand for workers creates opportunities for people with records.
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Top Employers in Orlando That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Orlando, FL and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
Publix is employee-owned and considers applicants individually. Florida-based with Southeast locations.
Target uses individualized assessment for applicants with records. Ban the Box compliant nationwide.
Marriott is the largest hotel chain with fair chance hiring pledges. Considers applicants individually.
Hilton runs background checks but uses individualized assessment. Back-of-house roles more accessible.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
Sodexo is a recognized second-chance employer in food and facility services. Works with reentry programs.
Best Industries in Orlando for People With Records
- ✓Tourism & hospitality
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Logistics
- ✓Construction
- ✓Food service
Staffing Agencies in Orlando That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Orlando metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Express Employment Professionals
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Labor Finders
- Adecco
Florida Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Florida does not have a statewide ban-the-box law for private employers. Orange County (Orlando) passed a ban-the-box ordinance for county employment.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Florida lacks statewide fair chance legislation for private employers. Orange County's ban-the-box applies to county positions only. Federal EEOC guidelines apply.
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr (Florida state minimum)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Orlando
- 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
- 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
- 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
- 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
- 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
- 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.
Reentry Employment Programs in Orlando
- CareerSource Central Florida
- Goodwill of Central Florida
- Community Coordinated Care for Children
- Aspire Health Partners
- The Salvation Army Orlando
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Orlando?
- Orlando has strong opportunities in hospitality and tourism (hotels, restaurants, resorts), food service, logistics (Amazon warehouses), construction, and retail. The constant demand for workers at hotels, restaurants, and attraction-support businesses creates ongoing opportunities. Back-of-house positions like housekeeping, kitchen, and maintenance tend to be more accessible.
- Can felons work at Disney World or Universal Studios?
- Disney and Universal do conduct background checks, and some positions may be restricted depending on the nature and recency of convictions. However, both companies are large enough to have a wide variety of roles, including custodial, food service, warehouse, and maintenance positions that may be more accessible. Third-party contractors and vendors at the parks may have different hiring criteria.
- What staffing agencies in Orlando hire felons?
- Major staffing agencies in Orlando that work with people with records include Express Employment Professionals, Manpower, Kelly Services, Labor Finders, and Adecco. The tourism industry's seasonal fluctuations create steady demand for temporary workers.
- What is the minimum wage in Orlando?
- Orlando follows Florida's state minimum wage of $13.00 per hour. Tipped workers receive a lower base rate plus tips. The tourism and hospitality industry often provides tips on top of base wages for service positions.
Related Resources
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